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10 Questions with ... Fisher
May 30, 2006
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NAME:FisherPOSITION:Quality Control aka Program Director / AfternoonsSTATION:WHZT-FMMARKET:Greenville/Spartanburg, SCCOMPANY:Cox RadioBORN:Long Island, NYRAISED:Long Island, NY
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started in college radio at WUSB/Stony Brook at 11. Interned, Board-op, On-Air, Asst. Music Director at WBLI/Long Island. Part time - WKCI/New Haven, WALK/Long Island, WLVG/Long Island. Board-OP @ WABC-AM/New York and the Rush Limbaugh Show. Along the way I did TV news for 2 years at News12/Long Island and I worked for Metro Networks/New York. I just turned 27 and will have a heart attack by 28.....kidding.
1. What do you think is biggest accomplishment as PD at HOT 98-1?
That's really a 2-parter. 1, is being able to take a frequency with a 1.3 share as a Talk station and take it to a 5.3 P12+ and from a 1.7 to a 10.2 P18-34 in the 1st book, not to mention still making it a strong top ranking station 5 years later. 2, is the ability to develop talent like my APD/MD Murph Dawg and my Midday Taylor Scott, both are strong jocks who have come a long way.
2. If you were banned from programming a Top 40/Rhythmic or Mainstream, what format would you program (location/market not an issue)?
I actually have thought about this before.....I would love to try a news/talk station or Alt-rock.
3. What area of your PD skills has improved the most since starting at HOT 98-1?
I have a better idea on how to bring things together. When I started, I had tons of ideas from all the stuff I've been part of before but had no idea on how to bring it together. Now I understand there is a process involving sales and promotions that needs to be followed to have ideas made into successful promotions. I also have improved my use of the term "delegation of authority." I began the station wanting to do everything, now I have the right people in the right positions that can handle the right tasks.
4. Who's on your staff at HOT 98-1?
Middays we have Taylor Scott who is originally from Jackson, TN......Greenville was a move up.....I know, I drove through it....just kidding Taylor. She is great, a killer personality and knows how to work the crowd. I think she literally talks to every person at an appearance. Afternoons we have some loser, we're trying to get rid of. Nights is led by Murph Dawg who is also my APD/MD. Another great talent...very creative and relatable with the audience, he lives the lifestyle. Weekends are held down by Brandy and Johnny D. Brandy was across the street for three years doing overnights without an aircheck. She came here after some time off and sounds great. It's amazing what a lil' coaching can accomplish! Johnny D. is a radio dork, and he is proud to be. He started as an intern, did nights in Macon, Ga and is now back. We got him on track and he sounds so good. He's even doing weekends at our sister station, WBTS/Atlanta.
5. What secret about you will surprise even those that know you?
I was going to college to become a doctor.
6. What are you looking to hear as you hit "play" on an aircheck for a gig?
I'm looking for workable material. Someone that doesn't come across cocky. Some one who has a good personality.
7. Who do you consider to be your radio mentor(s)?
JJ Rice, Cox Radio Format Coordinator. Consultant Bill Tanner. My GM Steve Sinicropi. Cox Radio RVP Kim Guthrie, Sean Hannity and my staff.
8. This summer is as good as any to take up a new hobby. If you have to take up a new one this weekend, what would it be?
I just got my certification as a scuba diver, so I'd say that's it.
9. Who from TV or film would you like to put on the radio every morning?
Ellen Degeneres....she's funny and relatable to our 18-34 females.
10. Your VP/GM tells you that you've got an additional $50,000 in the programming budget for the remainder of 2006. Where do you spend it?
I would cheat and split it for programming, promotions and engineering. Some small quaint concerts for listeners...a couple cool prizes for winning weekends...some promotional items for giveaways and some equipment for remotes to make us sound better on the air.
Bonus Questions
What's the biggest difference in your work day today from say...3 years ago?
I now have an office. We had just completed construction on new studios three years ago and before that the air studio/production/promotions/Murph Dawg and I were all in the same room for two years.
Who's the funniest PD in the COX RADIO chain?
John Olsen from WBAB/Long Island is funny in that warped kind of way.
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